Automated fluid dispensing system

Abstract

A system and method for automated dispensing of a fluid. The system and method includes accounting for ambient light proximate a dispensing location and generating a reference voltage in response to the ambient light. A second voltage is generating in response to a reflected signal from the location. Dispensing occurs if the difference between the reference voltage and the second voltage is greater than a predetermined amount.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A fluid dispenser comprising:
 a dispensing outlet; 
 a fiber optic cable extending to a location proximate the dispensing outlet; 
 a light source for generating a light pulse, said light pulse traveling from said light source through the fiber optic cable to said location; 
 a sensor for sensing light received via the fiber optic cable from said location, said light comprising at least one of ambient light and a reflection of said light pulse; 
 a comparator for receiving a signal from said sensor corresponding to said sensed light, for amplifying said signal, for determining if there is a reflection of said light pulse in said sensed light or if said sensed light is ambient light, and for generating a transistor-transistor logic (TTL) signal if the reflection of said light pulse is determined; 
 a microcontroller separate from said comparator for receiving the TTL signal from said comparator; 
 a capacitor coupled to the light source, wherein discharging of said capacitor causes the generation of said light pulse, said capacitor discharging in 5 milliseconds or less after said comparator determines that the sensed light is ambient light; and 
 a pump for pumping a fluid to the dispenser outlet in response to a signal received from said microcontroller in response to said TTL signal. 
 
     
     
       2. The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the fiber optic cable is a single core plastic fiber optic cable. 
     
     
       3. The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the light source is an infrared LED. 
     
     
       4. The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein said light pulse has a power in the range of 500 to 1000 milliamps. 
     
     
       5. The dispenser of  claim 4 , wherein the light pulse has a duration of one microsecond or less. 
     
     
       6. The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the light pulse has a duration of one microsecond or less. 
     
     
       7. The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the fiber optic cable comprises at least one end which is not polished. 
     
     
       8. The dispenser of  claim 1 , further comprising a splitter coupled to the fiber optic cable, the sensor and the light source. 
     
     
       9. A fluid dispenser comprising:
 a dispensing outlet; 
 a first fiber optic cable extending to a first location proximate the dispensing outlet; 
 a second fiber optic cable extending to a second location proximate the dispensing outlet; 
 a light source for generating a light pulse, said light pulse traveling from said light source through the first fiber optic cable to said first location; 
 a sensor for sensing light received via the second fiber optic cable from said second location, said light comprising at least one of ambient light and a reflection of said light pulse; 
 a comparator for receiving a signal from said sensor corresponding to said sensed light, for amplifying said signal, for determining if there is a reflection of said light pulse in said sensed light or if said sensed light is ambient light, and for generating a transistor-transistor logic (TTL) signal if the reflection of said light pulse is determined; 
 a microcontroller separate from said comparator for receiving the TTL signal from said comparator; 
 a capacitor coupled to the light source, wherein discharging of said capacitor causes the generation of said light pulse, said capacitor discharging in 5 milliseconds or less after said comparator determines that the sensed light is ambient light; and 
 a pump for pumping a fluid to the dispenser outlet in response to a signal received from said microcontroller in response to said TTL signal. 
 
     
     
       10. The dispenser of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first and second fiber optic cables is a single core plastic fiber optic cable. 
     
     
       11. The dispenser of  claim 9 , wherein the light source is an infrared LED. 
     
     
       12. The dispenser of  claim 9 , wherein said light pulse has a power in the range of 500 to 1000 milliamps. 
     
     
       13. The dispenser of  claim 12 , wherein the light pulse has a duration of one microsecond or less. 
     
     
       14. The dispenser of  claim 9 , wherein the light pulse has a duration of one microsecond or less. 
     
     
       15. The dispenser of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first and second fiber optic cables comprises at least one end which is not polished. 
     
     
       16. The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein said dispenser has a power of consumption of 1 μAh. 
     
     
       17. The dispenser of  claim 1  further comprising a 6 volt source coupled to the light source. 
     
     
       18. The dispenser of  claim 9  wherein said dispenser has a power of consumption of 1 μAh. 
     
     
       19. The dispenser of  claim 9  further comprising a 6 volt source coupled to the light source. 
     
     
       20. The dispenser of  claim 4 , wherein the light pulse has a duration of two microseconds or less. 
     
     
       21. The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the light pulse has a duration of two microseconds or less. 
     
     
       22. The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the capacitor discharges within 1 to 5 milliseconds after said comparator determines that the sensed light is ambient light. 
     
     
       23. The dispenser of  claim 12 , wherein the light pulse has a duration of two microseconds or less. 
     
     
       24. The dispenser of  claim 9 , wherein the light pulse has a duration of two microseconds or less. 
     
     
       25. The dispenser of  claim 9 , wherein the capacitor discharges within 1 to 5 milliseconds after said comparator determines that the sensed light is ambient light.